Adjustable frame for jig-saw puzzles



June 4, 1935. w H w c B 2,003,845

- ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR JIGSAW PUZZLES Filed March 9, '1933 i4 3 ii j771/e77/602 ZUYLLLZ'LUYY/ f7 WizZLcomb.

any.

Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE FRAME FOR JIG-SAW PUZZLES This invention relates to improvements in frames for jig-saw type puzzles. A

In assembling jig-saw type puzzles much difficulty is experienced by those solving the puzzles because of the fact that the various pieces comprising the puzzle are easily disarranged .during assembly and caused to become separated one from another. The edge portions of the puzzle in particular are very easily forced out of alignment when the various pieces are being fitted one into another and the portion of the puzzle which has been assembled consequently becomes very much disarranged. Furthermore, the puz zles are usually assembled upon smooth flat tables which often have slippery surfacesand this condition alone makes it absolutely impossible to fit the various pieces one into another without continually disarranging that portion of the puzzle which has been assembled.

The object of this invention is to provide a frame which may be easily and quickly adjusted to accommodate different sizes of jig-saw type puzzles, providing they are square or rectangular in form, said frame embodying therein a plural ity of similar side sections slidable one upon another, each member being so constructed and arranged that it will always be positioned perpendicular to the member upon which it is adapted to slide.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a frame of the character mentioned having a, surface or frictional element embodied therein which will have a coefficient of friction which will be materially greater than the surface of the table upon which the frame is likely to be supported.

Still another object of the invention is to so construct the guiding means for the frame members that said members will always be held in frictional engagement one with another.

The invention consists in an adjustable frame for jig-saw type puzzles as set forth in the following specification and particularly as pointed out in the claims thereof.

Referring to the drawing:--

Fig. 1 represents a plan view of an adjustable frame for jig-saw type puzzles embodying my invention, portions of the frame members being broken away to save space in the drawing.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrat- Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the side member removed from within the guiding member.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sectional views illustrating modified embodiments of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

In the drawing, referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Hi represents a rectangular frame consisting of a plurality of similar side members ll, each of which is adapted to have sliding engagement at its opposite ends with other side members in such a manner that the frame may be increased or diminished in size as may be desired to conform to the size of a rectangular jigsaw type puzzle I2 consisting of a plurality of irregular shaped pieces [3 which are adapted to be fitted one with another. Each side member ll embodies therein a strip or bar I4 consisting of a relatively flexible material such, for example, as rubber or equivalent material, and it is desirable that one of the wide fiat surfaces of each strip l4 shall have a coefiicient of friction which will be materially greater than the surface of the table upon which the frame is likely to be supported, in order that the frame ll] will not slip upon said support if the latter happens to have a smooth or slippery surface. This friction surface, which will be the under surface of the strip l4 when the side members I l are assembled one with another, may, if it is so desired, be formed by roughening the same in any suitable manner as at l5, see Fig. 2, so that it will in effect constitute an abrasive surface, or the material may be of such a consistency that it will not easily slip upon a smooth surface. 7

Secured in any suitable manner to the opposite sides of each strip I 4 at one end thereof are resilient gripping members l6 preferably constructed of'sheet metal and terminating at their outer extremities in inwardly bent lips I1. Normally, the gripping members l6 are sprung toward each other slightly as illustrated in Fig. 3, so that when the strip M of an adjacent side member H is located therebetween the flat surface of the members IE will yieldingly grip the fiat surfaces of the strip l4 and firmly hold said strip therebetween. The lips I! will at this time engage the outer edge of the strip l4 and act to hold the strip I 4 of one side member perpendicular to its adjacent side member and when a strip 14 is moved longitudinally thereof between the gripping members 16 the adjacent side members will always be held perpendicular one to another.

In use, if the size of the picture puzzle is known, the four side members may be assembled one with another and moved one upon another until the inner edges of the side members II are spaced the correct distance apart. The pieces I3 of the picture puzzle may then be assembled one with another with the straight edges of the outer pieces I3 engaging the inner edges of the side members I I, and the side members will at this time act to effectively hold the assembled pieces together as the picture is I I of the frame I when the puzzle is first started, that either two or three of these side members may be utilized, and the remaining side members may be added as the picture progresses.

During the assembling of the puzzle the frame I0 will engage the surface of the support upon which it rests with sufficient friction to prevent the frame'from moin'ng upon the support.

By constructing the strips I4 of the side members of flexible material, it will be evident that these strips will adapt themselves to any irregularities that there may be upon the surface of the support upon which the frame rests.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have illustrated a modified embodiment of my invention in which a strap l8, preferably constructed of thin sheet metal, is secured to the opposite flat surfaces of a strip I4 in such a manner that it will surround three sides of an adjacent strip. The strap I8 has a closed outer portion I9 which engages the outer edge of the strip M in a manner to hold the strip of one side member II perpendicular to the strip of an adjacent side member. Normally the side por ions of the strip H! are sprung toward each other in order that they will frictionally grip the opposite fiat faces of the strip I4 and hold the latter firmly therebetween. Side members I I having a strap I8 secured thereto may be adjusted one upon another in exactly the same manner as previously described in connection with the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated still another modified embodiment of my invention in which represents a side member constructed of wood or some other relatively rigid material and 2'! represents a thin strip of sheet material which may be either fieXible rubbenfelt, or other material which will act to prevent the side members from slipping easily upon a smooth or slippery support.

In Fig. '7 a side member 22 constructed of wood or other relatively stiff material may have a friction element 23 secured within a recess 24 provided in the under side thereof. This friction element is preferably constructed of rubber or equivalent material and has a concave lower surface 25 which will act to retard the movement of the member 22 upon a smooth or slippery support. In other respects the side members 20 and- 22 may be constructed in exactly the same manner as the other side members hereinbefore described.

I claim:-

1. A frame for jig-saw puzzles and the like comprising, incombinati-on, a plurality of side members in one piece and of uniform thickness, and a pair of guide members mounted at an end of each side member and adapted to yieldingly grip the opposite faces of another side member and position said side members perpendicular one to another;

2. A frame for jig-saw puzzles and the like comprising, in combination, a plurality of side members, and a" pair of resilient sheet metal plates mounted at an end of each side member and adapted to yieldingly grip the opposite faces of another side member and position said members perpendicular one to another. 3. A frame for jig-saw puzzles and the like comprising, in combination, a plurality of side members, each of said members having an abrasive under surface embodied therein, and means at an end of each side member to yieldingly grip the opposite faces of an adjacent member and hold said members perpendicular one to another. 4. A frame for jig-saw puzzles and the like comprising, in combination, a plurality of side members offiexible material and provided with roughened under surfaces, and means projecting from the opposite faces of each of said members and frictionally engaging the opposite faces of adjacent members and positioning said members perpendicular one to another.

5. A rectangular frame for jig-saw puzzles comprising, in combinatioina plurality of similarside members, and a pair of resilient guide members projecting from opposite faces of each side member'and yieldingly engaging the opposite faces of an adjacent side member and positioning said side members perpendicular one to another. 7

6. Aframe for jig-saw puzzles and the like comprising, incombination, a plurality of side members slidable relatively to each other, means to hold each member perpendicular to the member upon which it is adapted to slide, and means to retard the slipping action of the frame relatively to ,a supporting structure.

7. Aframe for jig-saw puzzles and the like comprising, in combination, a plurality of side members slidable relatively to each other, means to hold each member perpendicular to the member upon which it is adapted to slide, and means associated with each side member to retard the slipping action thereof relatively to a supporting structure.

' WILLIAM H. WHITCOMB. 

